Assistant, Veterinary Programs - Bentonville, AR

Best Friends Animal Society•Bentonville, AR

7d•$18 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

Veterinary Assistants support high-quality medical care for animals in Best Friends Animal Society’s lifesaving and veterinary programs and are responsible for daily activities in the veterinary department. They act with urgency to accomplish important tasks and directly contribute to the organization’s no-kill mission and success. Depending on organizational needs, assistants may receive intensive assignments in a particular program. The role includes providing basic veterinary care under a veterinarian’s direction, maintaining a clean and disinfected work area and accurate medical records, supporting volunteers and foster parents, communicating with clients, and caring for animals housed or transported in Lifesaving Center vehicles, buildings, or facilities. Assistants deliver customer service, collaborate across operations, follow organizational policies and task lists, and help maintain a safe workplace. The full-time schedule is five working days and two days off, with shifts listed as 9 a.m.–6 p.m. The schedule may vary according to departmental needs and may include weekends, nights, and holidays. The position is based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Work takes place indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, with exposure to dogs and cats of different sizes, temperaments, and medical status.

Requirements

A minimum of one year of experience working with animals and providing basic veterinary care is preferred; an interest in veterinary medicine is required.
Use a customer-centric, non-judgmental approach with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with a conversational adoption process.
Ability to leash, kennel, walk, and handle cats and dogs, including animals with health or behavioral conditions or concerns.
Basic ability to identify and discuss medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
Strong interpersonal skills; be a team player, personable, professional, and able to work with people from different backgrounds.
Ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and use well-developed organizational skills to manage competing tasks and demands.
Resourcefulness, initiative, problem-solving ability, flexibility, and persistence in achieving goals.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to routinely lift 40 pounds and perform strenuous activities such as lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, including typing, sitting, walking, and arm and hand motions.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.
Ability to work with dogs and cats of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
Availability for a variable departmental schedule that includes weekends, nights, and holidays.
Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require Best Friends Animal Society visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working with animals and providing basic veterinary care.
Familiarity with shelter software or animal management software, or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Provide basic medical care, including medication, vaccinations, subcutaneous fluids, and microchipping, under a veterinarian’s direction.
Use sterile techniques and basic knowledge of surgical instruments and animal physiology.
Maintain a clean and disinfected work environment and maintain controlled-substance logs.
Accurately enter and maintain patient and client medical data.
Support, empower, and enable volunteers and foster parents to expand lifesaving capacity.
Assist with client communications, including aftercare and emergency support.
Feed, clean, walk, and socialize animals temporarily housed or transported in Lifesaving Center vehicles, buildings, or facilities.
Deliver superior customer service and communicate information about Best Friends and community partner programs.
Collaborate with team members across operations to achieve lifesaving goals.
Follow organizational policies, procedures, and daily task lists, including timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Maintain a safe workplace, model safe work practices, follow safety rules, and communicate unsafe practices or conditions to leadership.
Treat colleagues, visitors, volunteers, and animals with kindness, compassion, inclusion, and respect.